Wifi Revolution

Canadian wireless network vendor Active Control Technology Inc. has claimed that it won an order worth about $275,000 to sell its ActiveMine, the company's two-way wireless voice communications, tracking and data system.

 

The purchase order has come from a major U.S. coal mining company. Active has however not disclosed the name of the company.

 

The purchaser, which reportedly owns several underground coalmines in the state of West Virginia, will install the system in full-scale.

 

Active hopes the demonstration of its solution could lead to additional purchase orders. However, the purchaser is yet to get approval from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

 

 The initial order is not subject to regulatory approvals or other special conditions.

 

 Unlike traditional commercial walkie-talkies, ActiveMine utilizes the unlicensed public WiFi band. The system's WiFi telephones, which feature 24 license-free channels, can be used outside of the mine without the need for FCC (News - Alert) licenses.

 

The installation will include a significant above-ground wireless network component that will extend voice and data communications from underground to include above-ground operations and facilities.

 

"We're delighted to have the opportunity to prove ActiveMine's robust data capabilities and other productivity-enhancing features with a coal mining industry leader," said Steve Barrett, President and CEO, Active Control, in a statement.

 

 "Based on the progress to date, we are confident that ActiveMine will receive MSHA approvals well before the West Virginia and federal regulatory deadlines to install wireless communications and tracking systems in underground mines," Barrett said.

 

 

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